Experimental immunization with Thalassophryne nattereri fish venom: striking IL-5 production and impaired of B220+ cells

Toxicon. 2006 Oct;48(5):499-508. doi: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2006.06.014. Epub 2006 Jun 30.

Abstract

Murine experimental model have been useful to understanding the toxic as well as the pharmacological properties of the Thalassophryne nattereri venom. However, the specific immune response to T. nattereri venom in mice is yet unclear. Our results showed that the venom elicited in BALB/c mice high levels of specific IgG1 and total IgE isotype with high affinity, accompanied by a striking IL-5 production, what point out to a Th2-like response. Meanwhile, the production of IFN-gamma by lymphocytes pool expanded upon mitogen stimulus, suggests that the venom was also able to activate Th1 clones. Elevated number of antigen-presenting cells expressing CD11c or CD11b from day 4 to 6 supported ongoing antigen presentation process in the primary response and efficient T-cell expansion (increase of CD4(+) cells). In contrast, decreased B220 expression was observed, suggesting that the formation of memory long lived cell compartment. In conclusion, T. natterri venom stimulates an association of cytokine of both Th1 and Th2 profile, with a notable IL-5 production and specific IgG1 and total IgE isotypes secretion. Furthermore, our finding showed that T. natterri venom can affect the B cell fate and induce a memory antibody response through the secretion of protective IgG subclasses. Further studies with the venom protein toxins may provide clues to molecular mechanism regulating proliferation and differentiation of antibody-secreting cells in our model. A better understating of how T. natterri venom can modulate immune response could be useful in therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Batrachoidiformes*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Concanavalin A / pharmacology
  • Fish Venoms / immunology*
  • Fish Venoms / pharmacology
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-5 / biosynthesis*
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / analysis
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mitogens / pharmacology
  • Models, Animal
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Fish Venoms
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Interleukin-5
  • Mitogens
  • Concanavalin A
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens